Vehicles
Shuttles
This is the mark 2 space shuttle which was made in greater numbers than the first version and represented the pinnacle of single country development. Despite the improvements made this is very much a hybrid craft and is not adept in either environment. Due to the outdated nature of the craft it is also relatively cheap which explains why it is still found in use by small private operators.
Its replacement, the spaceplane, was built mainly to a design from the USA but contributions from Europe, Russia and Asia finally gave the world an economic means of getting to low Earth orbit.
The vehicle now associated with the word shuttle. This widespread spacecraft is frequently used when small numbers of people need to move between space stations or the Moon.
Freighters
Prior to the expansion into space, international accord was reached in the design of a modular freight space craft. These craft use interchangeable pods which are made to the same specifications. The pods are attached to a frame which is specific to it's intended use. A number of rocket pods are attached to provide thrust. If passengers are required to be transported a pod which can support life functions is carried in place of a cargo pod.
For example the normal configuration for a Mars bound freighter is 6 cargo pods, a command/living area pod and two rocket pods.
Whilst those working about Earth orbit are fitted with only the command pod, 2 cargo pods and 1 rocket pod.
The Pluto range of scientific craft are much bigger with 8 interconnected pods and 3 rocket pods. They are also fitted with two tanks which carry additional water. This craft gives the crew of 8 a 4 year duration.
Due to the design of the craft they are not intended to land on any planet or moon. The pods when filled with freight are joined to the craft in orbit.
On The Moon
Moonrover
This vehicle was created by the Moonbase Technology Section prior to the break down in the international co-operation paying for their operation. It is highly regarded by it's users and supplies a degree of comfort to them with it's pressurised cabin and computer controlled suspension. It is also equipped with all-round video, ground radar and uses a beacon grid navigation system which allows the computers to control the rover on auto pilot. If the occupant wishes to they can control the vehicle with a directional joystick which has an integrated accelerator and dead-man brake.
Moon Hopper
The hopper is used for longer journeys than is practicable in a rover and can carry larger amounts of freight or passengers. These were cobbled together during the last days of the technology section with much of the cabin design being copied from the moonrover. They hold an unenviable reputation for reliability. Those qualified and prepared to fly these craft are paid accordingly.
On Mars
Marsrover
The Martian Rover widley used by the survey teams as they consider the immense scale of the terraforming project.
The information from the series is treated as correct with details from the novels/articles treated as secondary. This page is also reliant on bad memory and to the BS factor to plug certain gaps.